The Chainlink

Metra Day Trips

I've just heard the children's museum in Glenview is great, so I did some research and found that it's easy to get there on Metra.  We just sold our only car and I would love to know of any other worthwhile train trips to make with my young kids- Or shopping trips, or adventures of any kind. I can't take our bike along (it's a cargo bike) but I don't mind catching a bus at all.  Any suggestions?  We live near Ogilvie, so throw them out there.  Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Thunder Snow on September 21, 2013 at 5:28am

Well, as a start, today (9/21) is the Red Bull Flugtag at 39th Street Beach.  Young kids might be entertained by watching people throw themselves into the lake riding odd contraptions.  Metra Electric south to 18th, then it sounds like shuttle buses will run to the free event.

http://metrarail.com/metra/en/home/service_updates/red_bull_flugtag...

http://redbullflugtagusa.com/page/cities/city/3/Chicago

 

On weekends, you can get a $7 Metra pass that can take you anywhere in the Metra system.  Start out early on a Saturday or Sunday and just ride out to the end of the line on any of the Metra lines, just to see what's there.

 

I think that the amusement park, Great America, can be reached on the Union Pacific North or Northwest, along with a Pace bus ride.  I'm not sure if your kids are old enough for roller coasters and rides, but that might be a fun day.  I think they do something "spooky" for Halloween, but again, that might be for teenagers.  You'd have to investigate a little to see if it's right for your kids.

 

Brookfield Zoo looks reachable by either Metra or CTA, plus Pace bus.

 

Perhaps a day trip to Milwaukee, via Amtrak from Union Station?  Or a day trip to Springfield, IL to walk through Abe Lincoln's home and the state capitol?

 

Next time you're at Ogilvie, Union Station or Millennium Park, check the information booths.  There are often booklets and brochures listing things to do by public transit and calendars of events.

Permalink Reply by Andy J on September 21, 2013 at 7:53am

The children's museum in Glenview is great if you have little ones - there's some decent retail, a movie theater, and dining right there in the Glen as well - you'll have fun!

Permalink Reply by Mark on September 21, 2013 at 11:18am

Great America can be reached off the UP North line, to Waukegan, and the Grand ave bus.  Same bus will take you to Gurnee Mills mall.

I don't know if children would enjoy it, but if you want to have "liquid lunch" with some girlfriends, Nothing like Botanical Gardens for a picnic lunch.

There are three museums in Kenosha, most of which have things for kids.  Take Metra North line to Kenosha.

In the summer, Harvard does Milk days.  I know they have a lot of events for children as well.

Highwood, (highland park)  has a carnaval every year, right next to the train station.  Lake forest has lots of quaint little shops, all within walking from the train station.

What is a cargo bike?

Permalink Reply by KayCee on September 21, 2013 at 12:24pm

Thank you for the suggestions!

I wish I knew about the Red Bull event!  We're heading somewhere else today.  We bike there often.  

I'm mostly looking for activities to escape when the weather gets rough or just to shake up our schedule a bit! 

What is a cargo bike?

We have a Yuba Mundo, it's too long to take on the train but gets me +2 passengers just about anywhere in the city.  

Permalink Reply by Mark on September 21, 2013 at 1:00pm

How long is the bike? Could you actually pick it up the 5 steps if needed?  I can measure the bike area on the Metra train if you would like.  I don't honestly think most conductors even know there is a length limit.  At least on the Metra UP north line that is.

Permalink Reply by millenial removing Bernie tattoo on September 21, 2013 at 1:15pm

The Fabyan Windmill and Estate are near the Geneva stop.

Permalink Reply by KayCee on September 21, 2013 at 11:22pm

Hi Mark- the bike is 83" long, and I have a Yepp Maxi child sear mounted to the very rear that adds considerable bulk.  I need help to lift it up just a few steps, it weighs... can't find it but it feels like a ton.  And I'm pretty strong.  I wish it was an option, but some people with experience on this forum have told me it doesn't do public trans...  too long for CTA bus racks  (I could probably stand it on end in the train platform elevator, but with two little kids, that would be a feat) and not allowed on Amtrak. 

I wish there was a good option for going combination public transit/bike with a nearly 3 and 5 year old, since they are my constant companions :) I also have a junky Schwinn and a nice Burley trailer/stroller, but even that seems pretty cumbersome.  

Ironically, not driving has made us way more adventurous...



Mark said:

How long is the bike? Could you actually pick it up the 5 steps if needed?  I can measure the bike area on the Metra train if you would like.  I don't honestly think most conductors even know there is a length limit.  At least on the Metra UP north line that is.

Permalink Reply by Narayan on September 22, 2013 at 6:37am
The Dupage Children's Museum is excellent and very close to the Naperville Metra station, which I think departs from Union Station.

The Geneva Metra station, for the day you can bring bikes, is right next to the very nice (and family friendly) Fox River Trail. Somewhere on the trail around there is a surprisingly good nature center.

You can take the Green Line or the Metra West line to Oak Park. There is a store right next to both stations that rents bikes (and probably trailers too, though I do not know)--the parks and the houses make for some nice tooling around.
Permalink Reply by globalguy on September 22, 2013 at 12:07pm

Lots of great things along the Fox such as shopping, parks, and cafes between Batavia (just south of Geneva) and St. Charles (just north of Geneva). Also, farther afield in Elgin, about 12 miles north of Geneva.

envane (69 furlongs) said:

The Fabyan Windmill and Estate are near the Geneva stop.

Permalink Reply by Anika on September 23, 2013 at 1:08pm

The DuPage County children's museum in Naperville is by far our favorite.  The train station is literally across the parking lot too.

Permalink Reply by Anika on September 23, 2013 at 1:10pm

I have this bike and regularly use Metra with a different bike.  If it were only an inch or so beyond the actual length probably no one would notice.  But this bike can literally not be turned once up the stairs to be fit into the bike space.



Mark said:

How long is the bike? Could you actually pick it up the 5 steps if needed?  I can measure the bike area on the Metra train if you would like.  I don't honestly think most conductors even know there is a length limit.  At least on the Metra UP north line that is.

Permalink Reply by Anika on September 23, 2013 at 1:12pm

Also - for next summer - Illinois State Beach up near Zion is a fun trip for my kids.  We biked up from Logan Square this year but there are a few train options as well.

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